Comedian Modi's Character Yoely is Running for President

Well, sooner or later it had to happen. We have been posting funny commentaries by comedian Modi's alter ego Yoely about coronavirus and reviews of streaming video series that he's been watching on TV, a medium that until now was culturally incorrect for him to watch.

Now that he's also watched some of the news programs and political ads, he decided that the country is ready for him to run for president, not as a Republican or a Democrat, but on the Heimishe party platform.

Enjoy!

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Stand-up Chasidic Comedian Mendy Pellin Searches for the Secret to a Happy Marriage

Mendy Pellin is a Chasid and a stand-up comedian. We have posted many of his shtick over the years. So what's new with Mendy? Well, he decided to walk the streets of a frum Brooklyn neighborhood and ask random passersby to tell him the secret to a happy marriage.

Men, women, children all responded to his questions and the answers provide a wide range of collective wisdom, including "Do the dishes," "Take out the garbage," and "Don't eat with your mouth full."

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

British Comedian Ashley Blaker is Meshuga Frum When it Comes to Music

We've become big fans of Ashley Blaker, the British Orthodox comedian who's been getting rave reviews on his stand-up tours and requests for more video clips from our readers.

He has previously performed two sell-out tours of the UK (Ungefiltered and Meshuga Frum)to great acclaim and toured his comedy across Israel and South Africa. He started performing in USA with a sold-out showat New York's Gramercy Theatre.

Ashley will be taking his hilarious new show ASHLEY BLAKER: STRICTLY UNORTHODOX (the first ever stand-up show about life as a charedi (strictly orthodox Jew) to the United States this Spring, making his Off Broadway debut May 27 - June 28 in the Jerry Orbach Theater at the Theater Center, 1627 Broadway.

Here's a clip from his Meshuga Frum show where he explains his ultra-orthodox interactions with beloved pop songs. 

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Charedi Humor: Chasidic Man Goes Shopping For Groceries in Lakewood, NJ

Lakewood, New Jersey, is a very religious Haredi community. Like most Haredi neighborhoods, it has a very active Hatzolah organization that provides emergency medical services (EMS). 

Hatzolah wives in Lakewood, New Jersey do all of the grocery shopping while the men are studying and volunteering for EMS. But what happens when the wives are busy and ask their husbands (who have never shopped before) to do the shopping? Oy Vey!

The chasid in this skit is Jake Turx, the first Hasidic Jew to become a member of the White House Press Corps, reporting for Ami Magazine.

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Black Hat Humor in Boro Park, Brooklyn: The Hatzolah Doctor Makes His Rounds

The Haredi (Ultra Orthodox) community of Brooklyn is well served by Hatzolah, a local volunteer Emergency Medical Service (EMS) organization.

Hatzolah/Hatzalah ("rescue" or "relief" in Hebrew: הצלה‎) serves mostly Jewish communities around the world. Most local branches operate independently of each other, but use the common name. The Hebrew spelling of the name is always the same, but there are many variations in transliteration, such as Hatzolah, Hatzoloh, Hatzalah, and Hatzola.

But even something as serious as medical assistance can have its funny moments, especially in the hands of a production company like On Time Studios, which uses humor to promote local Orthodox services and businesses.

In this clip (The Doctor) we follow a Hatzolah doctor as he puts some unconventional implements into his black doctor's bag and makes his rounds on a scooter that he uses to visit patients in his community.

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Hassidic Comedian Mendy Pellin on Using Humor to Overcome Stereotypes

Hassidic comedian Mendy Pellin sits down for an interview with Israeli TV station Arutz Sheva.

Mendy blends Hassidic spirituality with out-of-the-box humor. He aims to overcome stereotypes commonly attributed to ultra-Orthodox Jews.

In the interview, Mendy reflects on his blending of Jewish themes and pop culture, the nature of Jewish humor, and how he sometimes crosses the line into humor that may offend practitioners of political correctness. 

During the course of the interview, we see some of Mendy's classic routines, such as dipping Apple iPhones and iPads in honey for a Rosh Hashana video.

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

Wall Street Journal Puts Chassidic Comic Mendy Pellin on Front Page

On Friday November 14 The Wall Street Journal printed a feature article about Chassidic rabbi and comedian Mendy Pellin on its front page. 

The article in the "A-Hed" position  below the fold, was titled Did You Hear the One About the Rabbi Who Carries a Big Schtick? (In later editions and online, they changed the title to This Rabbi Raps and Riffs -- on Judaism.)

We have been featuring Mendy's schtick on Jewish Humor Central since 2010, with 12 posts including his music parodies, news show parodies, and other funny stuff.

As Lucette Lagnado wrote in the Wall Street Journal,

Mr. Pellin is an Hasidic Jew who trolls Tinsel Town in a skull cap and sneakers, a long beard grazing his polo shirt. An ordained rabbi, his risky mission is to show the world that an observant culture—largely absent from the comedy mainstream—is natural fodder for funny.

“I call this period the ‘Hasidic Spring,’ ” he says, noting that many Hasidic youth are now embracing Facebook and Twitter, thereby pushing the boundaries of a once-insular society.

“Talk Yiddish to Me” is one of Mr. Pellin’s signature online music videos. A parody of the hit Jason Derulo song, “Talk Dirty,” the number features the comedian, dressed in full black Hasidim garb accented with an enormous gold chain.

Surrounded by singing sidekicks, he sways back and forth, as if praying, and busts the kind of rap moves—like hand gestures straight from the ’hood—more often associated with 50 Cent or Eminem.

YouTube counts more than 237,000 views for the video; Mr. Pellin says it has received millions more hits via other social networks.

What do other Hasidic rabbis think of Mendy's schtick? Those with a sense of humor generally like it and those without a sense of humor don't. The article has lots more information about Mendy and other Orthodox comedians. It's a good read and worth your time. You'll find it right here.

Enjoy!

(A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.)  

HAG: The Story of the Hasidic Actors Guild - A Mockumentary

You've probably heard of SAG -- the Screen Actors Guild. But how about HAG -- the Hasidic Actors Guild? At first we didn't believe that it's real, and after doing some Googling we're pretty sure that it's not real. 

But it is a figment of the imagination of Richard (Yisrael, Izzi) Lifschutz, an actor who has had bit parts in Hollywood movies about Hasidim. Two years ago Lifschutz invented the Hasidic Actors Guild in order to create a mockumentary film about it.

The film had a flurry of popularity at its release, and even got some favorable reviews. We couldn't find it playing anywhere now, nor could we find a DVD. But we did find a four minute trailer for the film, and we think it's funny enough to share with you today.

Enjoy!

(A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.)

Classic Chassidic Comedy: Siddur Finger - A Synagogue Hazard. Is It Covered By Obamacare?

Mendy Pellin is our favorite Chassidic comedian. We've been running his shtick for four years, and he keeps inventing new routines, from his Mendy Report on Chabad TV to the comedy midrash he created on the Jewbellish site that he co-founded recently.

We discovered another one of Mendy's gems from a few years back that may raise concerns about the comprehensiveness of medical coverage. We haven't been able to find out whether the new insurance plans that are in compliance with the Affordable Care Act provide full coverage for treatment of this blood clot disorder.

In this video Mendy focuses on Siddur Finger,or index avascular necrosis, a condition that arises when a synagogue congregant holds the place in the siddur with his finger while also holding a chumash during a Torah reading and rabbi's sermon which can last an hour or more. He explains that keeping the finger in this position for an extended period could leave the finger as flat as gum on the asphalt of the subway system.

Enjoy!

(A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.)